Coin

50 Pence - Elizabeth II 5th portrait; Sir Isaac Newton (2017) — United Kingdom

United Kingdom • 2017 • Sp#H48, KM#1430

50 Pence - Elizabeth II 5th portrait; Sir Isaac Newton (2017) — United Kingdom

Overview

A Brilliant Uncirculated (BU) strike copper-nickel 50 Pence commemorative coin of the United Kingdom minted in 2017 with a limited mintage of 81,608 pieces. Issued to commemorate the legacy of Sir Isaac Newton. The obverse features the fifth crowned portrait of Queen Elizabeth II right, while the reverse design is based upon elements of Proposition 11 in Book One of Newton's Principia Mathematica.

Specifications

Country
United Kingdom
Year
2017
Composition
Copper-nickel
Weight
8 g
Diameter
27.3 mm
Mint
Royal Mint, Llantrisant, United Kingdom (1968-date)
Shape
Equilateral curve heptagon (7-sided)
Technique
Milled
References
Sp#H48, KM#1430
Issuer
United Kingdom

Design details

Obverse

Fifth crowned portrait of Queen Elizabeth II right, wearing the George IV State Diadem, legend around. Script: Latin Lettering: ELIZABETH II·DEI·GRA·REG·FID·DEF·2017· J.C Unabridged legend: Elizabeth II Dei Gratia Regina Fidei Defensatrix Translation: Elizabeth II by the Grace of God Queen Defender of the Faith Designer: Jody Clark

Reverse

Design based upon elements of Proposition 11 in Book One of Newton's Principia Mathematica. Script: Latin Lettering: SIR ISAAC NEWTON FIFTY PENCE AW Designer: Aaron West

Collector insights

  • Design heritage: Jody Clark, Aaron West is credited as the designer for the Circulating commemorative coins series. Designer attribution helps distinguish this issue from later restrikes or unofficial copies that reuse only the motif.
  • Struck at: Royal Mint, Llantrisant, United Kingdom (1968-date). Confirm the mintmark on your example before comparing prices — same-year issues from different mints often trade at very different levels.
  • Low mintage: Only 81,608 pieces reported. This puts the issue into key-date territory for its series; expect steep grade-based price scaling and a higher counterfeit risk — provenance and third-party grading matter.
  • Catalogue reference: Listed as Sp#H48, KM#1430. Use this reference code when cross-checking auction archives, dealer inventories, and standard printed catalogues.

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